CPR Columbus is an American Heart Association (AHA) training site that offers CPR classes such as BLS, ACLS, PALS and Heartsaver first aid and CPR. This company is known for it’s stress free approach to training healthcare providers, as well as individuals without a medical background. They have a course for everyone that ranges from babysitters, coaches, personal trainers, to nurses, doctors and surgeons.

Often there are questions regarding the different types of CPR classes that the AHA offers. Here is a simple explanation that should help you determine which course you need.

Basic Life Support (BLS for Healthcare Providers) – this course is for all healthcare and medical professionals. This would include nurses, doctors, paramedics, dentists, hygienists, and anyone else who is currently practicing as a healthcare providers. However, this course is also the required CPR for nursing students, medical students, etc. This course covers CPR, as well as AED for adults, children and infants.

Heartsaver CPR – this course is for anyone who needs CPR and AED that doesn’t have a medical background. This would include personal trainers, teachers, factory workers, restaurant workers, etc. Many times individuals are also required to take the first aid component in addition to the CPR/AED. These courses are separate, however they can be taken together in one day.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – this is an advanced course for medical providers who are often confronted with emergency situations such as ER nurses, surgeons, and paramedics.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – this course is for medical providers that are confronted with pediatric emergencies on a regular basic, such as a nurse in the NICU.

All of the above courses have a certification period of two years. After that, it is required that a renewal course is taken. Most individuals choose to do live, hands-on courses, but you can also get certified with an online blended approach. The online class is composed of an online portion that can be completed on any computer, and then an in-person hands-on skill check. The AHA doesn’t offer any certifications that can be completed completely online. All certifications require some in-person skills test.

If you need one of the above courses, and reside in the Columbus, Ohio area, you can register with CPR Columbus.